An article written by Phoenix Houses of Texas Regional Medical Director, Dr. William Loving, MD, ABAM, was featured in the October 2011 edition of Recovery Today. In the article, Dr. Loving discusses his experiences in treating patients who use marijuana along with other drugs; he also addresses common misconceptions about the use of marijuana and its addictive properties.
The questions we ask ourselves are inevitable: Could I have stopped this if I had pushed harder? Is this my fault? For that question, the answer is always no. We don’t cause addiction, and we can’t cure it. But we want to know that we did our very best to help the people we love before it’s too late.
At Phoenix House, we recognize the power of social media as a “changemaker.” We are proud to be part of a strong, diverse, and expanding online recovery community that includes treatment organizations, policymakers, journalists, and people from all walks of life who are currently in treatment or sustained recovery.
Last week, Jets backup quarterback Erik Ainge recounted his struggles with addiction in a candid ESPN interview. Although he’s not sure about his future in football, he knows that his top priority is to maintain his sobriety, which is exactly where his focus should be.
The number of veterans and military personnel who need treatment is growing, and it is up to all of us to ensure that they get the help they need.